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the People of Fort Worth, Texas

New Texas Laws Going into Effect for 2018

Posted By Jerry Loftin & Associates || 14-Feb-2018

After hundreds of new laws went into effect on September 1, 2017, the new
year also brings more than two dozen new laws passed by the Texas legislature
last year. They regulate everything from identification requirements and
odometer readings.

The following is a breakdown of some of the 26 laws which took effect January
1, 2018, in the Lone Star State:

Voter ID changes – SB 5 Is a law aimed to relax voter requirements after the courts
ruled that the 2011 state law discriminates against black and Latino voters,
giving more options to voters who claim they cannot obtain required forms
of ID. Now anyone who has a “reasonable impediment” to obtain
a photo ID may show an alternate form of identification such as utility
bills, paychecks, and bank statements to vote. Anyone who lies about a
photo ID and then uses it to vote will be charged with a state jail felony.

ID requirements for credit and debit card users – SB 1381 gives retailers the right to prevent customers from using
credit or debit cards if the customer cannot show a government-issued
photo ID which matches the name on the card. This is viewed as an attempt
to prevent
theft.

Odometers – SB 1062 makes the transfer of vehicle ownership much easier, letting the
state now accept an electronic copy whether the vehicle is for sale or
an insurance claim. Previously, when you sold a vehicle you had to complete
a paper form with the odometer reading, essentially slowing the process
of transferring the title on vehicle sales.

Hauling milk – SB 1383 increases the amount of milk that can be hauled on a truck, raising
the limit to 90,000 pounds. The previous law caps milk transports at 80,000 pounds.

Mammograms – HB 1036 now requires commercial health insurance providers in
Texas to cover the cost of 3-D mammograms, as opposed to exclusively the
traditional 2-D test. Women and men will no longer be asked to pay the
exchange charged—which is $100 or more—to have a 3-D test
when they go for their annual mammogram.

Appraisals – SB 1767 guarantees that a property owner has a chance to weigh
in on a higher value. Before today, when the county tax appraiser issued
their final verdict on a property's value following a protest, that
was it—without any way a property owner can fight.